The Phoenix Suns ripped off perhaps their most impressive victory of the season Monday, as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers in their place. A win that came at a cost, as Devin Booker exited early on with a groin injury.
Austin Reaves couldn't hide frustration at loss to Suns.
One player who was not happy with the performance his side put in, despite it being only their fifth loss of the season so far, was Austin Reaves. The 27-year-old finishing with 16 points, which trailed only Luka Doncic and his monster 38, but who was outplayed by the Suns' own Collin Gillespie.
There's a reason Gillespie was our first-quarter MVP, and he stepped up alongside Dillon Brooks massively once Booker went down. The highlight going 8-of-14 from the line and snapping a two-game skid. Reaves wasn't happy to be the one on the receiving end of the beating, and he said as much to the media after the game.
From Monday:
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 2, 2025
"We played like shit." Austin Reaves after loss to Suns.
"It's one of those games. We played bad, they played harder than us. That can't happen."
On 22 turnovers (Luka Doncic 9, Reaves 5, LeBron James 3) leading to 32 Suns points: "I dribbled the ball literally… pic.twitter.com/Tc1Ivj0xb1
"We played like s**t... it's one of those games. We played bad, they played harder than us. That can't happen." From the perspective of Reaves and the Lakers, these are the worst kinds of games to lose because it comes down to lack of effort and nothing else.
We have no problem saying it, Doncic was majestic for much of the game. With Booker limited to only 10 minutes and the Slovenian superstar making all manner of tough shots, and just as importantly playing at the pace he wanted to, the Lakers wasted a brilliant performance from him.
There's a reason this team have garnered some national media attention recently, and it is because of the way in which they defend. They have a next man up mentality, while center Mark Williams is a difference-maker.
Former Suns' first overall pick Deandre Ayton has been great for the Lakers this season, and he had his moments in this one, but Williams just about got the better of him on this occasion. Then there was Ryan Dunn, who off the bench reminded head coach Jordan Ott what he can do.
Yes the Lakers have Doncic, Reaves and some guy named LeBron James (who is suddenly a third option), but they lack the never say die attitude that Phoenix has quickly instiled in their team. It is the reason they lost this game to what on paper is an inferior opponent, only the Suns are proving that the game isn't played on paper.